Our Programs

Core Instructional Program

Learning Leaders instructional program is the core of our work. Volunteers are trained to work with students from grades K-12 in reading, English as a second language, math and other subjects. In the upper grades, they also prepare students for critical examinations and assist with college planning and financial aid. Other volunteers introduce art or share a love of books. Teachers report that almost all students who received volunteer help last year improved in school work, self-confidence, and interest in school.

Learning Leaders currently has nearly 15,000 committed New Yorkers volunteering in our City’s public schools. Among our volunteers, 79% are parents of public school children. Further leveraging occurs when our parent volunteers use their volunteer training and experience to teach their own children at home, pursue their own educational and career goals and move into leadership positions at their children’s schools. In fact, an in-depth evaluation by Arete Corporation showed that children of Learning Leaders volunteers do better in school, and parent volunteers have a demonstrably positive impact on the school environment.

Parent Workshops

In addition to our volunteer programs, Learning Leaders provides free workshops for parents and caregivers of public school children (open to volunteer and non-volunteer parents). These workshops are conducted in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and Haitain-Creole in public schools where Learning Leaders has volunteer programs. These workshops are designed to help parents introduce children to the rich rewards of books and reading.

Learn More

To learn more about volunteer opportunities and the public schools where Learning Leaders has programs, please visit our volunteer page. You may also contact us at 212-213-3377 or email info@learningleaders.org.

Visit our Resources for Parents section for tips and tools to help you support your child's learning in school and at home!

Our Impact

Teachers report that, of students who received volunteer help last year,

  • 96% improved in school work
  • 92% improved in self-confidence
  • 89% became more intested in school
  • 27% no longer need extra assistance

Many volunteers, particularly parents, report that giving instructional help to children expands their own educational and career goals.